Franklin riders on track for Pukekohe
With a number of local riders off shore, things are pretty quiet on the local front, however all this may change with racing at Pukekohe Park this Saturday where a number of local runners will be in action.
The first race of the eight-race programme will commence at 12.15pm, and the last race will be run at 4.28pm. The feature race of the day is the Ssangyong Auckland Futurity Stakes, a listed 1400 metre event for two-year-olds.
Local riders, Leith Innes and Mark du Plessis have been riding at the Brisbane racing carnival, while Alysha Collett made her riding debut in Singapore over the weekend where she managed a couple of seconds.
Collett has a six-month contract to ride for Donna Logan in Singapore, however she is able to ride for other trainers.
Meanwhile her father Richard had success last week with Time Lord who is campaigning in Queensland.
The three-year-old son of Guillotine scored a decisive win at his first start in the sunshine state last Wednesday.
Racing over 1600 metres at Caloundra, on the Sunshine Coast, he settled near the rear and came with a late wide run to get up and win by half a length.
His main mission in Queensland is the Queensland Derby on June 9, and he is likely to line up in the Gr.3 2200 metre Grand Prix Stakes at Doomben this Saturday.
Time Lord is raced by his breeders Matt Goodson and Di Perron, and is the third winning foal from their Zabeel mare Mary Agnes, who was also trained by Richard Collett.
Mary Agnes has also left City Boy a handy galloper from the Collett stable.
Waiuku trainers Grant and Tana Shaw also had a winner last Wednesday, with Lady Rocetta at Ruakaka.
The Cecconi four-year-old mare broke maiden ranks in a 1200 metre event. She was ridden by Matamata apprentice Jasmine Fawcett.
Lady Rocetta is a half-sister to Trilogy, a stakes placed winner of five races, and to three other winners.
Pukekohe rider Kelly McCulloch travelled to Awapuni on Saturday where she was successful on Platinum Rapper for Awapuni trainer Lisa Latta.
Platinum Rapper is a two-yearold Makfi filly who was bred by Westbury Stud’s Gerry Harvey.